Neiman Announces New Additions to Legal Division

NEW YORK, NY (12/18/2007)(readMedia)-- New York Banking Superintendent Richard H. Neiman announced that C. Thomas Barletta is joining the New York State Banking Department, as Legislative Counsel responsible for all state legislation and governmental affairs.

Barletta comes to the Banking Department from Marsh & Associates, P.C., where he provided counsel for a diverse client mix. He previously served as the first Director of Governmental Relations for the New York State Bar Association for 18 years, creating the association’s formal legislative program, and establishing the Bar Association as a resource for the New York State Legislature. A graduate of Boston College and Albany Law School, Barletta started his career as Counsel to the New York State Assembly Majority Leader in 1979.

“Tom brings a wealth of experience to the Banking Department in developing, working on and advocating for important legislation,” said Neiman. “I am looking forward to working with him to continue enhancing the legislative program at the Department.”

In his position, Barletta will be a key member of the Department’s executive team in interacting with the Department before the New York State legislature, the Governor’s office, state agencies, public entities and private interest groups.

Barletta will be reporting directly to Marjorie E. Gross, who was recently appointed Deputy Superintendent of Banks and General Counsel, in the Banking Department’s legal division. As Deputy Superintendent and General Counsel, Gross directs the activities of the Department’s legal division, as well as the overseeing the Department’s legislative program. She advises the Superintendent on all matters of law and consults with the other Departments of the State and Federal governments, industry representatives and more.

Prior to her appointment, Gross worked for a number of New York banks and was the Senior Vice President and Regulatory Counsel with The Bond Market Association. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Georgetown University Law Center.

“The addition of Marj and Tom to our existing legal division rounds out an already talented group,” said Neiman.

The New York State Banking Department is the regulator for all state-chartered banking institutions, virtually all of the United States offices of international banking institutions, all of the State’s mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers, check cashers, money transmitters and budget planners. The aggregate assets of the depository institutions supervised by the Banking Department are more than $1.8 trillion.

In addition to regulating banking institutions, the Banking Department is active in informing and educating all New Yorkers on banking matters. To contact the Banking Department, please call 1-877-BANK-NYS or visit our Web site at www.banking.state.ny.us.

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